What is micro albumin?

Answer 1

Micro: Tiny, very small amount.

Albumin: A protein playing a very important role in the blood. A microalbumin test checks urine for the presence of a protein called albumin. Albumin is normally found in the blood and filtered by the kidneys. When the kidneys are working properly, albumin is not present in the urine. However, when the kidneys are damaged, small amounts of albumin leak into the urine. This condition is called microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria is most often caused by kidney damage from Diabetes. However, many other conditions can lead to kidney damage, such as high blood pressure, heart failure, cirrhosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). If early kidney damage is not treated, larger amounts of albumin and protein may leak into the urine. This condition is called macroalbuminuria or proteinuria. When the kidneys spill protein, it can mean serious kidney damage is present. This can lead to chronic kidney disease. A microalbumin urine test can be done on a sample of urine collected randomly (usually after the first time you urinate in the morning), a sample collected over a 24-hour period, or a sample collected over a specific period of time, such as 4 hours or overnight. A microalbumin urine test is done to check for protein (albumin) in the urine. Early detection may change treatment in an effort to preserve as much kidney function as possible.

Answer 2

Microalbumin is a small amount of albumin protein found in the urine. It can be an early sign of kidney damage or dysfunction, especially in conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. Testing for microalbumin levels can help in monitoring and detecting kidney problems at an early stage.